Some days, the algorithm is algorithm-ing serving up Reels that speak directly to me. Whether it’s something about girl-mom life, my obsession with margs & queso or my love of North Carolina, those bots know exactly what gets me to stop, share and comment!

The same goes for you! Which is why every piece of content I share, I obsess over making sure YOU feel seen.

From the hook, to the visual, I want every person to feel that I am truly wanting them to succeed on social media and not feel discouraged.

Because the key to good Instagram marketing strategy isn’t getting your masters or taking an expensive course from the latest guru, it’s getting obsessed with your ideal client.

One of the biggest mindset shifts for business owners on social media is learning to think like a marketer — not just a creator. Because when you think like a marketer, you stop chasing trends and start creating content that connects on a deeper, human level.

The goal isn’t just to get noticed.
It’s to make your audience feel seen.

What It Really Means to
“Think Like a Marketer”

Thinking like a marketer means understanding your audience almost better than they understand themselves. It’s knowing their routines, frustrations, and motivations — not just their demographics.

When you approach content this way, you’re no longer creating for an algorithm; you’re creating for people.

🧠 Questions to ask yourself.

• What makes my audience stop scrolling?
• What emotions drive them to take action?
• What stories make them feel connected to my brand?

You want to know your people so well that you could finish their sentences, leaving them feeling that you truly get them.

Because, when people see themselves in your content, they follow, they buy, or they send you to a friend.

Every. Single. Time.

The Psychology Behind Why People Buy and Follow Others on Social Media

At its core, marketing is psychology.

Your audience doesn’t buy your product or service because they “need” it — they buy because they feel something when they interact with your brand.

That emotional connection often comes down to three things:

🫶🏼 Connection – They relate to your story or values.

♥️ Community – They feel part of something bigger than themselves.

👋🏼 Belonging – They see themselves reflected in your message.

When your audience experiences those three things, engagement happens naturally — not because of a viral audio or perfectly timed post, but because they trust you.

How to Create Content That Resonates

1. Watch What’s Working (Outside Your Industry)

Notice what makes you stop, laugh, or save a post — even from brands completely unrelated to yours.

The best marketers study behavior, not competitors.

2. Focus on Everyday Scenarios and Be Specific

The next time you sit down to write a post, think about how your audience actually lives their day.

If you sell candles, you’re not just selling a scent—you’re selling that moment when the house finally smells like a boutique hotel, the lights are dim, and your shoulders drop an inch.

If you sell lip gloss, you’re not selling shine—you’re selling confidence. The feeling of pulling out the lip gloss that everyone’s talking about on TikTok because it makes you feel part of something.

And I get it, you’ve probably been told to define your audience with identifiers like busy moms or small business owners.

But here’s the thing: those don’t mean anything anymore. Every mom is busy. Every business owner is tired.

What’s powerful is the why.

Why is she tired?

Maybe it’s that dreaded 4–7 p.m. window—dinner, bath, bedtime, repeat—when she just wants five minutes to herself.

That’s the difference between a label and a story.

Specifics are what make your content hit home, that’s what your audience connects to.

Not the features—the feeling.

3. Lead with Emotion, Not Explanation.

Facts inform. Feelings convert.

Don’t just tell people what your product does — tell them what life looks like after using it. That’s what moves your audience from curious to committed.

To put it simply…

At the end of the day, marketing isn’t manipulation — it’s empathy.

When you can describe what your audience is feeling before they even say it out loud, that’s when your content truly lands.

Because the secret to standing out online isn’t more content — it’s more connection.